TOPIC 7 Community Clinical Psychology

Community Psychology An approach to mental health that emphasizes the role of the environmental forces in creating and alleviating problems.

Major aspects Cultural relativity Diversity Ecology ( the fit between persons and the environment)

Principles of Community Psychology Problems develop due to an interaction over time bet the individual, social setting, and systems. Problems can be defined at any levels, but particular emphasis is placed on analysis at the level of the organization and the community or neighborhood.

Cont’d Community psychology is typically not practiced in clinics, but rather out in the field or in the social context of interest. Rather than providing services only for those who seek help, community psychologists proactively assess the needs and risks of the community.

Cont’d An emphasis is placed on prevention of problems rather than treatment of existing problems. Attempts are made to share psychology with others via consultation; actual interventions are often carried out through self-help programs or through trained nonpsychologist/nonprofessionals.

Perspectives in Community Psychology CPs do not concerned exclusively with inadequate environments or persons, but direct their attentions to the fit bet environments and persons.

Cont’d CPs emphasize the creation of alternatives through identifying and developing the resources and strengths of people and communities. CPs believe that differences among people and communities are desirable; promotes diversity.

Key Concepts Ecological Levels of Analysis – individuals, microsystems, organizations, localities, macrosystems Change in one part of the system will affect other parts of the system.

Concept of Prevention Primary prevention – programs to reduce job discrimination, enhance school curricula, improve housing, teach parenting skills, etc. Secondary prevention – i.e. early detection and treatment of individuals with potentially damaging drinking problems

Cont’d Tertiary prevention – reduce the duration and the negative effects of mental disorders after their occurrence

Empowerment Prevention of feelings of powerlessness

Diversity Culture Race Ethnicity Gender Sexual orientation Ability/disability Age Socio-economic status/social class Religion & Spirituality

Social Intervention Concepts Blaming the victim Free the gov’t & cultural institutions from blame Gives legitimacy to intervene at the person level

Methods of Intervention & change Consultation Community alternatives to hospitalization Intervention in early childehood – i.e. Head Start Self-help – AA Paraprofessionals

Training of CPs Relevant background in the ff disciplines nursing, sociology, social work, public health, epidemiology, medicine, or clinical/community psychology Training in the designs of interventions and empirical evaluations of interventions

Cont’d Practicum or internship in prevention Bachelors degree in relevant field (psychology )